Nike Kempe: ‘The Government is Bereft of Ideas to Stimulate the Bermuda Economy’

• The following statement was issued today by OBA Senator Nick Kempe, Shadow Minister of Finance

This Government is bereft of ideas to stimulate the Bermuda economy,” Shadow Finance Minister Nick Kempe said, asking “why does Government think it can simply tax people into the ground and not share any of the sacrifice.

The public can clearly see that this Government is bereft of ideas to stimulate the Bermuda economy. All we are hearing about is all the wonderful ways the PLP thinks it can tax us into prosperity.

What exactly is the plan to grow the economy? The Minister of Finance complained that he didn’t have an America’s Cup in the foreseeable future so he now feels forced to raise taxes.

What has this Government been doing to find that stimulus? The promised Event Authority has not happened. We’ve missed out on being included in Larry Ellison’s Formula 1 of sailing called Sail GP this year because the PLP treated the America’s Cup like it was bad for Bermuda.

The Gaming Commission is dead in the water after political interference. The BTA has been meddled with too, with effects yet to be seen.

What does a growing economy look like? For starters, more people on-island. The troves of Bermudians returning to a world of endless opportunities that the PLP promised is clearly not a reality. Who will make up the increased population if the economy does grow? Amazingly, I do not recall immigration being mentioned once last night.

The PLP has backed themselves into such a corner on this subject that it will take them even longer to complete Immigration Reform than it has taken to agree a new bus schedule. Which Minister is responsible for Economic Development?

Why does Government think it can simply tax people into the ground and not share any of the sacrifice? The cost of Cabinet has increased every year under this Government,” Senator Kempe added.

What results were produced by the Minster for Government Reform? What savings were identified by the Efficiency Committee? How is it possible that not one single dollar can be reduced compared to last year’s Government spend?

Judging by recent events, we have to ask if too much of this Administration’s time and energy has been spent executing the agenda of the person that really controls that party?

When is the PLP going to start focusing on increasing the prosperity of Bermudians instead of dismantling the progress the OBA made to create jobs, stimulate the economy, reduce the deficit and increase accountability across Government?